"The Gamesters of Triskelion" disarms the brain (disembodied or otherwise) with some rousing entertainment wholly unmatched in Trek. Mysteriously snatched to a distant planet, facing lifetimes of servitude and death in combat, Kirk Uhura and Chekov must escape enthrallment to The Way of the brutal Providers. Back aboard Enterprise Spock finds his sudden command beset by sullen challenge to his logic. Spock handles his officers' complaints with quick wit and cool grace. Kirk handles his problems with a right cross, dropkicks, and a spear to the belly. (Oh yeah, and by bringing compassion and that most important thing, LOVE.)

In an ample supporting role Angelique Pettyjohn shows excellent form as Shahna the green-maned drill thrall. She fills the part with a body "not such as ours" in a barely noticeable outfit (best seen over and over again in the blooper reel!). There's also renowned character actor Joseph Ruskin as the ominous Master Thrall Galt, beginning his substantive Star Trek guest star panoply as this blazing eyed omnipresent nasty. (Is Galt human or android? Even Ruk doesn't know.) Background thralls Lars and Tamoon ("Chee-koof?") are memorable as well in their own twisted ways. Among the crew Uhura and Chekov enjoy another mission together, and McCoy and Scott receive yet another lesson about messin' with their Vulcan First Officer.

And Then There Is That Fight. Things looks dire enough when Kirk gets to enjoy playing practice target with Kloog, but having to face multiple thralls to the death is indeed worthy of a "true gamester." Any other starship captain would be a messy stain on the Triskelion arena (leaving their crew behind with a newer, fresher problem larger than trifles like quatloos). With the possible exception of the Amok Time fight this is hands down the best action sequence in TOS, so iconic and well known it has been fondly satirized in pop culture.

Triskelion is another in the long list of planets that deserved an eventual revisit. After the indeterminate dominance of The Way a society of civilized gladiators presents many problems but also opportunities. ("There is nothing we cannot do!") What color would Galt's Collar of Obedience become in a world once compassion has value? The appearance of familiar species like Andorians means M24 Alpha is only slightly off the whipped path, and soon Tales would obviously inspire similar travels to the flickering lights in the sky. Lessee, twelve light-years at Warp 6 is a matter of weeks. Maybe Kirk left someone behind that will someday leave to join him.